Curtain for automobiles and the like



A. EASTMAN CURTAIN FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE Fild Oct. 12 1922 Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATE ADELBERT EASTMAN, OF WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA.

CURTAIN FOR AUTOMGBILES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed October 12, 1922.

Too whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Annnnnnr EASTMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Palm Beach, in the county of Palm Beach and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtains for Automobiles and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This'inventionrelates to certain new and useful improvements in enclosing means for protecting the occupants of a vehicle, or other places, against rain or wind, or to jinsure privacy when desired.

The present invention has for its objects among others to provide a simple, eilicient, durable and reliable construction, readily applied to motor vehicles of known make, or applicable to automobiles and the like during the course of manufacture.

When designed for automobiles or the like, I provide a light, relatively inexpensive frame, in one piece or jointed, spring-actuated or otherwise, attached to or attachable to or-between the bows of an auto-top by which each corresponding curtain may be folded and held concealed and unfolded, lying practically against the under side of theauto-top, and capable of being instantly released when desired. The construction. and arrangement is such that the driver of the car can manipulate or operate the curtain or shieldat his left hand without taking his right handfrom the wheel. The curtain at the other side of the car can be as easily operated by one hand. The curtain is automatically folded and unfolded and placed in position for use or out of use in a comparatively short space of time, quicker than the swiftest tropical storm can break.

I provide means whereby all the curtains on one side of the car can be actuated at once, or, which will perhaps be preferable, I can arrange the curtains in sections, each operableindependently of the others.

The improvement is applicable to open or closed'cars, the construction being substan- -tial-ly the same, the principle being; generic in both forms. I

By the employment of springs for the actuation of the curtains, the action of the deviceis rendered automatic and instantane ous, and they also serve to hold the parts in, all positions-without perceptible vibration Serial No. 594,102.

and thus obviates the resulting wear and noise that would be present but for some such provision.

The parts of the device fold automatically as the same is brought into closing position, and also automatically unfold whenbrought into operative position. The construction is such that extraneous means for holding the curtain frame in either itsoperative or inoperative position are unnecessary.

I contemplate providing means forentirely concealing the device when in its inoperative position, although this will notbe necessary and is not indispensible.

Among the advantages of my'present invention may be mentioned the following Acme of convenience and quickness and ease of handling.

The curtains will keep their freshness of appearance and will last many times longer than where they have to be folded by hand into a multiplicity of folds and creased, or rolled or put under the seat, or in pockets overhead.

Saving of space. The curtains do not have to be rolled; they do not have to be attached to the bows and do nothave to-be detached from their support or carrier when put into inoperative position.

The invention is capable of embodiment in a variety of forms and shapes depending upon the make of the car and the condi tions of use.

The shape, material and all features of design will distinguish various makes of cars which will in many cases excel in simplicity and uniqueness those shown in the present instance. The design shown in the present instance is not only adaptable to practically any and all makes of cars but also --to any curtain in the car by any handy 111M119]? mechanic. The slight changes thatmay be necessary to adapt it to any particular make of car will be such as notto necessarilydepart in any material particular f1'OLl13lE-l16 structure herein illustrated an d ;soo n to be described.

Other objects and advantages of the invention -wi ll hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention, in its preferred forms, is

clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical longitudinal section, showing the application of my present invention to an automobile.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section as on the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional detail showing the carrier partly folded in full lines and completely folded in dotted lines.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail showing one form of binge connection between mei'nbers of the carrier.

Figure 5 is a perspective detail of modified form of carrier.

Like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates the top covering of an automobile of any of the well-known forms. 2 is the front bow; 3 is a cross bow, in this "instance shown as located practically over the front seat 4. 5 is aportion of the body of the car, 6 the steering wheel and 7 the windshield. 8 is the portion of the front bow extending along the side of the car and to which the carrier for the curtain or enclosure is attached or from which it is sup ported.

The mechanism forming the subject matter of my present invention is capable of embodiment in a variety of forms, but in the present instance I have chosen to show, and will confine my description to, what I have found to be very satisfactory embodiment thereof. In the form illustrated 9 is what I term a spring-carrying rod, which may be supported in a variety of ways, as will soon be explained. For the time being disregarding the manner in which it is supported except to understand that it is to be supported, either permanently or detachably, at the top portion of the car, I will describe the parts which are supported by this rod or member 9. 10 is a member which maybe of wire or sheet metal of proper form which is designed to have atlixed thereto in any suitable manner the curtain or whatever may be the nature of the enclosing member, not shown in the present instance. In Figures 1, and 3 this member 10 is shown as of wire comprising the bottom horizontal portion 11 and the members 12 disposed at substantially a right angle thereto. Near the ends oi the horizontal member the wire is bent to form the eyes or the like 13 and 14. The end uprights of the member 10, as well as the intermediate uprights, are designed to be attached to or supported from the member 9 in any suitable manner. In Figures 2 and 3 they are shown as secured to the said member 9 so as to be removed from the car therewith, while in Figure 1 they are shown as provided at their upper ends with the hooks or the like 15 which are designed to be detachably engaged over the member 9 so that they may be removed with the said member 9 as a unit, or the member 10 may be separately removed without disturbing the member 9, as may be deemed most expedient.

16 are springs, one near each end of the member 9, as seen clearly in Figure 1, one end of each being affixed to the said. member 9 in any well-known way and the other end being provided with a hook or bend, as seen at 112', so that the spring exerts a tension on the rod and its accessories to normally keep the member 10 in the position in which it is shown by dotted lines in Figure 3, turned up and lying against the underside of the top of the car.

In the form illustrated I have chosen to show a second member supported from the member 19. In this instance, the member 18 is of wire, although not necessarily so. and comprises a bottom cross member 19 and vertical members 20, the latter beins: ofiiset, as at 21, see Figures 1 and L, the vertical portions 22 thereof being provided with a bend 23, as seen in Figures 3 and 4 C, to receive the cross member 11, as seen in Figure l. The horizontal portion 24 of the member 20 is extended through the eyes 1?, and H of the member 10, as seen clearly in Figures 1 and 4, while about the portion is a spring 25, one end of which is connected with the member 12, as seen at 26, and the other end connected with the member as seen best in Figure 4 This forms a spring hinge, permitting the members 10 and 19 to told one way against each other but serving to prevent movement of the member 18 on the member 19 in the opposite direction be yond certain predetermined limits for a. purpose which will be hereinafter explained.

The member 18 is of such height as to extend below the top edge of the body 5 or the door therein. for a purpose which will he self-evident as the description proceeds.

The members 10 and 18 may be provided with a covering of any desired character. such as celluloid. in part or whole on the upper member 19. or part celluloid or anal" ogous material. or it may he glass. it preferred, or part celluli'iid. or glass. and part of the ordinary curtain material generally used -for such curtains. The lower member 18 may carry a curtain or covering of any desired character. These are not shown in the drawings as they would tend to obscure the showing of the other parts.

While in the present instance I have shown two springs at the top and bottom oi" the upper member 10. and in practice this number has proven efficient, it is to be understood that the number of such springs ills! employed may be varied to any desired extent without departing from the essence of my invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. Other arrangements of springs, also, may be resorted to, if found more expedient.

The carrier, as above described, may be supported from the car in a variety of ways. In Figure 1 at the left it will be seen that the end of the member 9 is provided with a bent end 26 which is detachably engaged in a socket or the like 27 secured to the bow 2, so that the said member 10 may be readily lifted out when desired, it being understood that the other end of the member 3) may be likewise supported; or, as seen at the right of said Figure 1, and in Figures 2 and 3, the said member 9 may have its end formed with an eye or the like-to receive a screw or other securingmeans 28 whereby it may be detachably secured to a member 29 which is shown as secured to the cross bow 3 and having a loop or the like 30 which embraces and is secured to the side portion 8 of the front bow 2, as seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The structure just descri ed constitutes but one section of the enclosure, although in some instances, where circumstances permit, I may make the entire side enclosure or curtain carrier in a single unit extending the whole length of the car, but it is prefer able to form the same in sections. In Figure 1 31 represents the end of an adjoining section secured to the member 29.

As will be seen from Figures 1, 2 and 3, the member 9 is so supported as to be en tirely concealed from the outside of the car, without any concealing member. If desired, any suitable form of cover or the like may be provided, say of the same color as the lining of the top of the car, to cover not only the member 9 etc., but also the members 10 and 18 when in their closed position, that shown indotted lines in Figure Modifications in the form and shape of the member 10 may be resorted to, to accommodate the device to the different styles of cars. In some instances I may make the upper member of sufficient height to serve alone, without the second member 18. In this form the member 10 will fold up against the under side of the top in a manner si'milar'to the members 10 and 18, as seen in Figure 3.

The member 10 may be of wire, as shown in Figure 1, or of sheet metal, as shown in Figure 5, or a combination of the two, as may be deemed best. In some instances, it may be found desirable to make the member 10 of sufficient width to serve alone and in this case I may make the vertical members of telescopic sections, as seen in Figure 5, wherein 31 is one section carried by the lower horizontal member 32, while 38 is a second section having side flanges 3 1 in which the section 31 is telescopically fitted so that as the upper member, or in this case it may be the one member serving in lieu of the two members hereinbefore described,

will automatically lessen in width as it is;

folded upward and also automatically increases its width as the device is dropped into its operative position.

In whichever form is employed when the upper member is lowered, either as a singlel member, or two jointed, as shown in Figure 1, the lower horizontal member is engaged with the outer wall of the body of the car and the springs tend to hold the same against such body with sutlicient force toi prevent its accidental displacement. The hinge or spring pivot serves to allow of the requisite movement in being changed from one position to another, but prevents movement of the parts beyond a predetermined fil employment of the spring hinge, as a con-:-:

nection between the upper and lower members, weaker than the main top hinge and operating against it only at the point of extension has the following advantages: It

folds the curtains; it reduces vibration, and

it helps to hold the structure in positive engagement with any restraining hooks or other devices that may be employed.

Sections in each member may be provided by the use of strengthening ribs or for the introduction of windows or for appearance and symmetry, or the entire structure may be in the form of an aluminum super-body which when not in use will not occupy a space appreciably thicker than the width of the bows and be adapted to close the car instantly.

When the structure is in the form of'cur tains, laterals or the like 35 may be provided, as seen in Figure 1, hinged to the forward upright member 12 and having a spring hinge 36 at the top, as shown in said Figure 1, such laterals being adapted to carry a curtain or a glass or other transparent substance, not shown, and adapted to be quickly thrown against the windshield and hooked thereto or otherwise fastened in operative position, the spring hinge serving to automatically fold them for passing instantaneously into storage or inoperative position. In some instances the spring hinge may be omitted, not only in the case of the laterals but in the form shown in Figure 1, although the presence of such spring hinge will doubtless be found desirable.

Modifications in details may be resorted to without departing from the spiritot the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed as new is 1. A device for the purpose described, comprising a supporting member attachable beneath the top of an automobile, a carrier detachably supported from said support, springs on said member acting on said car rier to normally hold the latter in position substantially parallel with and beneath the automobile top, and means depending from the lower end of said carrier to engage the outer wall of the top edge of the body to keep the carrier forcibly yet yieldably held in its vertical position.

2. A device for the purpose described, comprising a supporting member attachable beneath the top of an automobile, a carrier detachably supported from said support, springs on said member acting on said carrier to normally hold the latter in position substantially parallel with and beneath the automobile top, and a supplemental carrier pivotally supported from the lower portion of the first-named carrier and adapted to bear forcibly yet yieldably against the outer Wall of the body to thereby be held in its distended position.

3. A device for the purpose described, comprising a supporting member attachable beneath the top of an automobile, a carrier detachably supported from said support, springs on said member acting on said car rier to normally hold the latter in position substantially parallel with and beneath the automobile top, a supplemental carrier pivotally supported from the lower portion of the first-named carrier and adapted to bear forcibly yet yieldably against the outer wall of the body to thereby be held in its distended position, and a spring hinge connection between said carriers to automatically fold them when released from engagement with the wall of said body.

t. In a device of the character stated. a

continuous rod adapted to be supported near the top of an automobile, a snring-actluited carrier pivoted thereon and having one end of the springs engageable therewith and a second spring-actuated carrier carried by the lower portion of the first-nan'ied carrier and foldable thereon and therewith.

5. In a device of the character stated, 1. rod adapted to be supported near the top of an automobile, a spring-actuated carrier pivoted thereon, and a second spring-actuated carrier carried by the lower portion of the first-named carrier and 'i'oldable thereon and therewith, the adjacent ends of said carriers having oppositely disposed ofi' set portions, and interengaging means on said carriers.

6. A dev'ce for the purpose described, comprising a supporting member attachable beneath the top of an automobile, a carrier mounted thereon to depend at the side of the automobile, springs connecting said support and carrier to swing the latter substantially parallel with and beneath the top, a supplemental carrier pivotally mounted on the first-named carrier, the said second-named carrier having otl'sets at the ends to receive the bottom horizontal portion of the firstnamed carrier.

7. In a device of the character stated, a carrier embodying amain member pivoted to fold up beneath the top of an automobile, and a supplemental member pivotally mounted thereon, a continuous rod from which the main member is suspended, springs acting on the pivot of the main member and the supplemental member, and interengaging portions on adjacent ends of the two carriers.

8. In a device for the purpose described. a carrier support. a carrier pivotally mounted thereon, a spring acting on the pivot to normally hold said carrier in posi tion parallel with and beneath the automobile top, a second carrier pivotally supported from the first-named carrier and toldable thereupon, and a spring acting on the pivot of the said last-named carrier tending to normally hold the latter in its folded position.

In testimony whereoi I allix my signature.

ADELBERT F A. QTMAN. 

